Church custodians charged in collections thefts

SYLVANIA, OH — Two St. Joseph Catholic Church custodians have been charged with felony theft for their alleged involvement in the disappearance of up to $4,000 from church collections, according to the Toledo Blade.

William Staley and John Tenney are under suspicion for removing sealed envelopes from a church safe they had access to and returning the envelopes with lesser amounts of money, the story stated.

According to reports from the Sylvania Township Police Department, each custodian was seen on video tape opening the safe between February 27 and March 1, times when church officials noted a change in the serial numbers on the envelopes in question.

Both individuals have been charged with fifth-degree felony theft and face up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine, the story noted.

According to the story, Staley admits to stealing $650 in "loose cash" from the church while Tenney declined making a statement to police.

Reverend Dennis Metzger, St. Joseph Catholic Church''s pastor, said: "St. Joseph Parish has diligently followed diocesan protocols and business procedures in the collection, counting and deposit of parishioners'' contributions to the parish and other charitable efforts conducted by and through our parish. We have already introduced further measures which will prevent the type of theft which has occurred here in recent months."

St. Joseph Catholic Church began taking note of envelope serial numbers and installed security cameras following complaints from parishioners in January, the story added.